Three Things People Can Do Now to Prepare

The estimated 7.0 earthquake (and potential tsunami) last night, centered in the Pacific Ocean 300 miles northwest of San Francisco, is a reminder to Bay Area residents that they need to be prepared now, according to Harold Brooks CEO of the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter.

  Brooks says the three most important things residents can do include:

  -- Make a family plan
  -- Build a disaster supplies kit
  -- Take a course in first aid/CPR

"Our research shows that most Bay Area residents have not prepared either because they don't know how or think it will take too long," says Brooks. "We want to empower Bay Area residents, which is why our goal over the next three years in our Prepare Bay Area plan is to help at least one million area residents get ready by making a plan, building a kit and getting first aid/CPR training."

Prepare.org, a Red Cross website dedicated to readiness, provides information on family plans and building an emergency kit. The information is available in 12 languages and includes supply checklists, safety tips and instructions for pet owners. Red Cross preparedness starter kits are available at Safeway stores throughout the Bay Area and by going online to www.bayarea-redcross.org.

According to Brooks, creating a family emergency plan involves such things as identifying two central places for family members to meet -- one immediately near the home and one outside the neighborhood; mapping escape routes from every room in the house; and picking someone to turn off utilities. Additional information can be found at www.prepare.org.

"CPR and first aid training can ensure that individuals and families are able to respond both to everyday emergencies as well as in the event of a natural disaster," Brooks says. A course schedule is available at www.bayarea-redcross.org.

"We take this responsibility very seriously," he says. "The more that Bay Area residents and households are prepared to take care of themselves and others following a major disaster, the greater the possibility that emergency services personnel will be able to focus on those seriously in need of help."

About the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter

Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, your American Red Cross Bay Area helps residents in six counties prepare for disasters, recover from them and connect U.S. military families and those torn by war and disasters. With the help of 3,000 volunteers dedicated to saving lives, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 600 disasters, trains more than 73,000 people in life-saving and preparedness skills and exchanges hundreds of emergency messages for military, war and disaster-stricken families. Call 1-888-4-HELP-BAY or visit www.bayarea-redcross.org to learn more. The Red Cross provides nearly half the Bay Area's blood supply. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) today to schedule your lifesaving donation.

CONTACT: Adam Matza or Joyce Perry, +1-415-956-1791, both for American
Red Cross Bay Area Chapter

Web site: http://www.bayarea-redcross.org/